Axle extension



Feb; 5, 1935.

G. A. NEWHQUSE AXLE EXTENSION -F'iled April 21, 1953 INVEN'II'ORI.GEORGE A. HEWHOUSE ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 5, 1935 .ffQUNIrEoS ATES AXLE EXTENSION George' A.-Newhouse, Yorktown, Ind.,' assignor f of one-half to Carl H. Wright,Yorktown, Ind. Application April 21, 1933,-Serial No. 667,274

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in tractors.

In the use of a wheeled vehicle of this class, especially inagricultural pursuits, it is often desirable that the driving wheels maybe spaced a distance greater than the measure of the standard gauge. Onaccount of the severe bending and torque strains imposed upon the axleshafts, it is necessary that such shafts may be effectively supported atpoints at the end portions of the housings therefor, and adjacent to thedriving wheel hubs.

The object of my invention is to provide an attachment which is capableof being combined with the standard structural equipment of rear axleassemblies, and whereby an extension of the axle shaft maybe had withoutremoving any of the interior parts or disturbing the functions thereof.a

The said general object, and also more specific aims having for theirpurpose the providing of a device of the kind described which iseconomical of construction, durable, and easy to install, areaccomplished by, and the invention is embodied in the new construction,combination, and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing, and described in the following specification. j g

The several parts of the invention are identi- 30 fled by suitablecharacters of referenceapplied to them in the different views in thedrawing, in which Figure 1 is a central longitudinal sectional view ofthe invention. I

Figure 2 is an end view taken inthe direction of arrow 2 in Figure 1. vFigure 3 is an enlarged view taken rection of arrow 3 in Figure'l.

Figure 4 is a view on reduced scale showing 40 a rear axle assembly ofconventional form.

A rear axle assembly of the kind to which the present invention isespecially applicable, appears as illustrated in Figure 4. It comprisesa main or central housing A, having the opposed 46 body sections B andB, and necks C and C. The body sections are secured to the centralhousing A by means such as cap screws D. In suitable bearings, such asat E, in the necks C, are retained the outer or extended portions of the50 shafts F and F. The position of the wheel hub when secured to theshaft F is as shown in the drawing.

I provide a support device consisting of a hollow casting of elongatedformation,,the inner end of whose body portion 1 is of formationconstitutin the diing a flange 2. This flange is of diameter andformation to abut directly against the outer surface of the flange G ofthe assembly housing B. Holes 3 in the said flange 2 are so spaced as toalternate with the positions of the cap screws D 5 of the axle assemblyhousing. The portions 4 of said flange between the said holes 3 areinwardly offset so as to clear the intervening cap screws D. The outerend of said support device is of formation to constitute a cylindricalneck 6. The 10 length of the body portion 1 of said support device issuch that the neck 6 is in position a desired distance beyond the saidneck C of the axle assembly proper, as shown in Figure 1.

To install the said body structure, each alter- 15 I nate cap screw D isremoved from the axle assembly housing. The body structure is then,disposed in position with the holes 3 thereof in registration with thethreaded holes in the assembly housing. With the replacement then of .20the said cap screws and the tightening of same, the said body structurewill have been secured in position.

Retained in the said neck 6 is a conventional roller bearing 7. In thishearing, a member which I designate as an extension or stub shaft 8 isjournaled. Usual splineways 9 are provided at the outer end of saidextension shaft. Acoupling sleeve 11 is provided with interiorlongitudinal splineways 12 that are spaced to register withthesplineways of the shaft F. The said coupling sleeve also hassplineways 14 which are spaced to accord with the splineways 15 that areprovided at the inner end of the said extension shaft- The said couplingsleeve is fastened 35 against longitudinal movement on the shaft 8, by across pin 16. Between the .said' coupling sleeve and the annular wall 17of theneck'fi,

is retained a suitable ring 18 which constitutes a take up and thrustbearing. 40 1 At the outer end of the neck 6 I provide a retainerring'20, felt washer21, and a closure ring 22, which several partsconstitutea suitable closure of the bearing. The said bearingring l8 maybe varied in thickness to compensate for such variation in length of theshaft F as may be present. I

My invention, embodying as it does, the extension or stub shaft 8 andbearings therefor and coupling member 11 carried in an individualhousing structure that is capable of encasing the axle housing proper,and of being readily fastened to a conventional assembly housing,constitutes a practicable attachment. It affords to the user of a,tractor of conventional gauge,

the benefit of the elongated axle arrangement.

; The applying of the attachment to use involves simply the removal ofthe wheel hub from axle F and the removing of each alternating cap screwD of the assembly housing; then disposing the attachment in connectionwith the flange of the assembly housing, and then the replacing of thescrews.

Inasmuch as the installation does not involve.

modification of I the. tractor equipment or parts,

the removal of the attachment, and the return to the standard axle Flength is practicable.

Whereas the invention is shown inrconnection with a tractorrear axlehousing, the invention is 15 applicable to axle assemblies generallywhich embody a central housing. Also it is to be under-- stood thatminor changes'may be made in thestructuralfeatures of theinvention'without de-' parting from the spirit or principle thereof.

" said stub shaft.

What I claim as my invention, is-

An attachment for an axle assemblyof the kind described, comprising anelongated open support-housing to enclose the axle assembly housing andhaving an enlarged inner end whose flange is of offset formation toclear each alternate cap screw of the flange of the assembly housing andhaving holes for the other cap screws; and theouter endv of thej'saidhousing being providedv with an open neck, an anti-friction bearing insaid neck, a'stub shaft journaled in said bearing and each .of its endshaving splineways, and a coupling member splined on said stubshaft andsecured thereon against 1ongitudinaLmovement, and having splineways toengage those of the axle shaft, and a closure ring between the outer endof said housing and the GEORGE A. NEWHOUSE.

